Monday, 28 May 2018

Eddy's first event

Thanks Eddy

The day finally arrived, but the weather looked like it might have something to say about it. Impressive thunderstorms the night before and a forecast of more to follow. When I arrived the setup was nearly complete, but the weather was overcast and not looking promising.

But as the bikes started to arrive, so did the sun. It got hotter and hotter all day.

So hot in fact I was taking some pictures and then diving under cover for a while. The predicted storms never arrived.

It was a good turnout, a wide of variety of models and customisation meant there was plenty to photograph. Even people walking past came in to look at the bikes.

custom red stretched harley davidson

black harley davidson

vintage harley davidson

road king harley davidson


row of harley davidsons

mustang p52 inspired paint scheme harley davidson

drop handlebars sports harley davidson

harley davidson with flag

It's took me a long time to decide which of the many pictures to process, and even longer to choose the ones to include with this post.

The live music was very good, the DJ did a great set, followed by a brilliant session by Midnight at Room 306.

midnight at room 306 opening great singer

Midnight at room 306 watched by bikers

I'm not sure when the next event is, I think it will be once a month, after Eddy has had a rest. But he has certainly started well, and set the bar high on his first go.

A photographer for the Kent Messenger paid a visit. Eddy's hard work is really paying off.

jacket patch loud pipes save lives
Yes they do


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Saturday, 26 May 2018

A retrospective

I'm not sure what the etiquette is with retrospectives. Do I have to be dead to have one? I'm not, obviously, but I'm going to have one anyway.

As I thought about what to include, I started to realise I have been busier than I thought. Do I include all my favourites? The family portraits, mine and friends, as well as the model shoots I have done. Would it be right to miss out any?

I decided this post would be just about the model shoot pictures that show my progress, they mean a lot to me because they show my increasing confidence. I'll stick to this connection to bind them together. The personal pictures, maybe another book is coming on.

I hope you have read my early posts, about my start in portraiture as a way to broaden my experience of photography then you may have seen some of these pictures.


portrait studio model

portrait location model


These two are from a photography workshop. The one mentioned in this post. I like them, particularly the second one. I see now I could have done it differently, maybe better. A little fill flash, and change of angle to get the other pillar in as a frame. But there were six other photographers all queuing for Jade's attention. It's to her credit she saw me a little away from the crowd and looked my way at the right moment. More confidence could have seen me take charge and ask her to move a bit, and wait for me to attach the flash.

After the workshop I contacted a model to arrange a shoot.

model portrait studio

It produced some nice shots and helped me become familiar with my camera gear but ultimately it didn't help my confidence. The model pretty much took charge while I focused on the camera and other equipment.

Below are my favourites from the intervening four years. I can see a developing style as my confidence grows.



Here is where I really started directing the shoots. Working on my ideas.


Working with Jade from the workshop.


Experimenting with lights. This one was two lights, both with just reflectors.


The model approached me to do this shoot. She liked my style and wanted to see if modelling was for her.



One speedlight, bouncing light off the wall behind me.


Lost in thought. Until now most shoots had the model looking at me.



A Sunday in London.




A studio shoot, too many others I could have posted.


Two from a makeup test day.



Not sure if you can have a retrospective with very recent pictures. But I like them so here they are.









Taking advantage of the gradually improving weather.



Spring blossom.


I could have chosen so many more pictures. I have worked with very experienced models and two less experienced. The above is just as much about them as it about me.

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Monday, 21 May 2018

Workshops and building a portfolio

What do people think of photography workshops? 

A group of photographers, a model and an instructor. I must admit I have only been on one. I did come away knowing I liked and wanted to pursue the portrait genre. But there was also frustration. It must be said there are probably two types of these workshops; teaching a skill or process, and a portfolio builder. This one, I now realise was the later. That was probably the problem. 


I have watched workshops on line, and they seem to follow the same route. The photographers stand around and then take turns photographing the model. All very quick and little connection made with the model. There isn't time to explore different angles and poses. You have to have a more forceful personality them mine to almost ignore the queue and take your time. 

I came away with pictures I liked, but they were very similar to the other participants results. Maybe now I would take charge more, but I'm not sure I would do another workshop like this one aimed at building a portfolio. 

My advice if you are starting out would be a model studio day. Pick a good studio and model though. You get assistance if you need it from the studio team and the model. You are able to just experiment with no pressure from the next photographer. When you get more confident, hire a good model and studio or shoot at their home or on location if you have a smaller budget. I learnt a lot this way from trial and error and from the model.

I am now looking for the second type of workshop; teaching a skill. I want to start wedding photography. I'm looking for more than just pictures for my portfolio; I need to plan the day, optimise the workflow to produce the finished pictures, and to learn how to run a business. 

This type of workshop seems to be more difficult to find. I attended one, unfortunately it left me with more questions than answers. I tried beforehand to detail what I wanted, and the photographer had a style and business I thought I could learn from. I guess ultimately the skill of teaching is more difficult to asses.


I'm not criticising anyone who provides workshops, just noting that for me they haven't really worked. I may attend some in the future, but I need to be sure they will provide me with the experience I am looking for. I think maybe I need to define that more clearly first.


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Monday, 7 May 2018

Last day of a great weekend

bike leant against the wall, in the shade.
Bike leant against the wall, me in the shade.

Just back from the last ride of the weekend. It always seems better to have cycled on a bank holiday, a day stolen from the work week. And only four days of work until the next time. Life is good.

Saturday was a testing ride, taking in a few of the steepest hills around me.

Sunday was a little easier, a gentle ride to Westerham. It was a longer ride, but less severe hills.


churchill westerham kent
Picture from a while ago. Winston Churchill on Westerham green.

Then there is the bonus day.

It started as a steady ride to Chevening. Until I was overtaken, now this happens a lot but this time a wanted to push myself. Within a few seconds I decided to catch up and see how long I could stay with him. I watch a lot of bike racing and when a rider accelerates away the commentators say the rest of the racers have to react quickly. Now I know how quickly. He wasn't going much faster than me, but the short delay before I gave chase meant he was well up the road. And it took a lot of effort to close the gap. I stayed with him over the undulating route for five or six miles before I turned off. It's amazing how much difference to my average speed this short burst made. I cycled on past Chevening; it was one of those "I could cycle all day", days. But I did need to get home so I completed a circular loop through Dunton Green back to Chevening, then back along Pilgrims Way, up Clarks Lane and through Woldingham. The only steep hill being Burntwood Lane near to home.

A bit of advice: there are a lot of insects flying around. So keep your mouth shut. You're welcome.


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Saturday, 5 May 2018

Early summer sun with Rosie

I had originally planned a second shoot with Rosie for last Monday to coincide with me having the D810, but the weather was horrid, it rained heavily all day.

We were promised better for Friday, and we weren't disappointed.

Rosie once again was well prepared and the chosen area for the shoot was tidy and ready. But in the end the veranda didn't hold our interest for very long. The rest of the location was just too good.

on the veranda using a softbox flowery dress
Softbox camera left

veranda mirror reflection
veranda reflection in the mirror
The next area we went to was the cherry tree, in full blossom. It would certainly been a shame to miss it.




Rosie looks great, relaxed and serene. Pull back on the zoom and she is actually perched on a ladder.
You would never guess from the two pictures above.
behind the scene rosie up a ladder, slippers on
Behind the scene Rosie up a ladder, slippers on
Then finally a walk through the woods. This was the most challenging area. Dappled light meant I had to keep an eye out for blown highlights and the leaves caused an incredibly vivid green light. It was very hard to get ride of. What do you think of my efforts?

portrait in the trees


portrait in the trees white dress

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long weekend cycling

After the last week it was good to wake up to the sun on a weekend. Matt is globe trotting so I'm on my own for all three days.


It gave me a chance to put a few miles on the road bike. And to tackle a couple of local hills. I have mentioned before White Hill Lane, it is a very steep, long hill that gets steeper the further along it you go. There is shorter hill, Waller Lane that comes up from the valley, it's not open to general traffic, their route is Church Road. The lane is used for the Waller Pain time trial every year. In previous years I have seen the reminder too late to attend, but not this time. It use to be used by the Catford CC for the Catford Hill Climb back in the 1890’s, they have now moved on to other challenges. The last few years it has been run by the Caterham Round Table as part of the Caterham Festival.


I have walked up it a few times so I thought I'd try it on the bike. It is hard, especially the lower section, there is a flatter part that I mistook for the top. On race day I planned to stand up and really give it everything to the finish. It was then that I was glad of this test ride. The flatter section turns a bend and climbs again. I wouldn't have had the energy needed for that final section had I gone all in so early. I'll wait a little longer on the day. Strava has the fastest time as just over a minute, the last few years have had winning times around 1 minute 17 seconds. I'll aim for a time that starts with a one.


I'm glad to be out, it feels so good when it's warm. I stopped to take a drink and snap the scene.



cycling flowers leaned against the wall

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